Condoleezza Rice in Mexico to discuss Merida Initiative

The Dallas Morning News reports this morning:

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with her Mexican counterpart today amid drug cartel attacks on U.S. facilities, a brazen prison escape along the Mexico-Texas border, and increasing talk in Mexico of legalizing drugs as an alternative to the ongoing battle.

High on the agenda between Dr. Rice and Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa is the Mérida Initiative, a $400 million U.S. aid package signed into law by President Bush in June but hung up in Washington.

Earlier this month, President Felipe Calderón called for expedited release of those resources – mostly helicopters and surveillance planes – and analysts said Dr. Rice is likely to hear a similar message privately during talks today and Thursday in Puerto Vallarta.

The Merida Initiative pledges $400 million worth of funding to the Mexican Government to help the country in its fight against organized crime and powerful drug cartels, but the bill has proved controversial on both sides of the border - see why here.

Read more about the Merida Initiative here and go here for our special report on mexico's drug wars, "Mexico Under Siege."

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Comments

[southoc]

Ro your comment makes no sense. Please clarify.

[Ro]

This quite funny, Georgia gets 1 billion dollars...after his very democratic dictator started a war.. and Mexico fighting his own war, provoke by the high drugs consume and the best you can do is to give 400 millions ... indeed quite funny